Ebola Q&As on Transmission

What are body fluids? Ebola has been detected in blood and many body fluids. Body fluids include saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen.

Can Ebola spread by coughing? By sneezing? Unlike respiratory illnesses like measles or chickenpox, which can be transmitted by virus particles that remain suspended in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes, Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids of a person who has symptoms of Ebola disease. Although coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola, if a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.

What does “direct contact” mean? Direct contact means that body fluids (blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, or feces) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion.

How long does Ebola live outside the body? Ebola is killed with hospital-grade disinfectants (such as household bleach). Ebola dried on surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature.

Are patients who recover from Ebola immune for life? Can they get it again - the same or a different strain? Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and a patient’s immune response. Available evidence shows that people who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years, possibly longer.

We don’t know if people who recover are immune for life or if they can become infected with a different species of Ebola.

If someone survives Ebola, can he or she still spread the virus? Once someone recovers from Ebola, they can no longer spread the virus. However, Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to 3 months. Abstinence from sex (including oral sex) is recommended for at least 3 months. If abstinence is not possible, condoms may help prevent the spread of disease.

Can Ebola be spread through mosquitos? There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys and apes) have shown the ability to spread and become infected with Ebola virus.

The NBC cameraman who became infected, did so by hosing out the car of a victim who was transported in it. A water drop rebounded into his eye - enough to give him the disease. Therefore, coughing and sneezing can indeed transmit the disease. Or, a person could cough into his/her hand, and then touch a doorknob. If a second person touched the same doorknob, and then rubbed his/her eye, picked his nose, or scratched the skin enough to expose the under layer of skin, the disease would be transmitted.

These modes of transmission are not that hard to figure out, once you throw away political correctness and apply some very basic logic.

Nina Pham started her treatment right away, has Brantly’s blood, and is still downgraded.

Amber Vinson likely had symptoms when she flew to Cleveland but appears she may be in the 5 day window.

She doesn’t want any information disclosed about her condition so who knows about her other than “stable”

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/10/03/nbc-news-cameraman-from-providence-diagnosed-with-ebola/

NBC cameraman Ashoka doesn’t know how he contracted the disease. He did not have direct contact with an infected person’s body fluid. He did, however, wash a car wearing some protective gear and speculates he might have gotten in second hand.

Has anyone discussed the possibility of a rapture virus? Is it the good or the bad that are taken away?

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